m 



adding to the sum total, for it is "Trifles" that "make perfection." 

 Hence we have not only an object in view, but also a certainty 

 that that object will be appreciated. 



Certain advantages are accorded to those societies which may 

 become corresponding societies of the British Association, but it is 

 not necessary to discuss them here.* 



It might be tedious to name all the various ways in which it is 

 proposed to carry out the suggestions of the British Association . 

 but we may name a few most likely to be carried out amongst the 

 members of our Union, viz : — Observations on the Rain-Fall ; 

 Luminous Meteors ; Rate of Increase of Underground Tempera- 

 ture ; Character of the Water Supply ; Position, Height above the 

 Sea, and Lithological Character of Erratic Blocks ; Erosion of 

 Sea-Coasts ; Ancient Earthworks ; Prehistoric Remains ; Observa- 

 tions regarding the Peculiarities, Times of Flowering, etc., of 

 certain Plants ; Arrival of Migratory Birds ; Appearance of certain 

 Injurious Insects ; Working of the Elementary Education Code ; 

 Elementary Science in Schools, etc. This is a formidable array ; 

 but I should only have wearied you with the recital of the list as 

 given in No. VIII. of the Transactions. Some of them seem 

 trivial, still they are necessary where a law is to be formulated. 

 Of course the advantages to be derived by our consideration of 

 this scheme may be merely negative ; but they may also be real. 

 This end may be secured if we would only take up one or more of 

 the topics named, and make a thorough study of it ; and this, by 

 the way, is the end and aim of our own and kindred societies. 

 At least two of these subjects are separately dealt with by the "Cum- 

 berland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society." 

 That our Union is at any rate doing a something in the matter, is 

 clear, for in the last Report of the British Association there are the 

 titles, etc., of eight papers named as printed in No. IX. of the 

 Transactions of our Union, and which come within the scope of 

 the syllabus just quoted. To fully carry out the intention, each 

 society might appoint a kind of permanent sub-committee, willing 

 to devote some time to systematic work. In Maryport we might 

 well consider : (i) The many questions arising out of the ancient 



